Taking the mystery out of knots

For those who know them, knots are like a selection of tools always on hand to do a job. For those who don't know them, knots are more like fascinating, befuddling magic tricks.

During the years, there have been numerous attempts to take the mystery out of tying knots with the publication of how-to books. Now, knot tying has hit the computer age.

Alaska seaman and tugboat operator Dave Guldin has come out with a series of CD-ROMs designed to teach a variety of useful knots. The first in the series, "The Basic Knots," features 21 knots, including several that many people call the most important you can ever learn.

The CDs have been well received, and for good reason. They are easy to use, the software runs automatically without installation and there are no unnecessary graphics or music to slow things down -- you get right into knot tying.

With your mouse you can click on any of the knots and a video will begin to play. The screen will show the instructor slowly demonstrating how to tie the knot while he explains each move. What makes this CD especially useful is that at any time you can push stop, pause or go back to the beginning. Unlike traditional videotape, there is no awkward rewinding or fast forwarding.

Included in the CD case are two small ropes, one black and one white. The instructor also uses two different colors of ropes when demonstrating a knot that ties two separate ropes together.

"If you re involved in scouting, boating, hiking or related outdoor interests, you will want to get this CD-ROM," a person from Montana wrote to Amazon.com. "It makes learning much, much easier than figuring out what complex, and confusing, diagrams in knot-tying books mean."

The company that produces the CD, Beutner, reports that the images from the "Basic Knots" CD have been adopted by National Fire & Rescue Magazine for a quick reference on knots used in rescues. Boy Scout Troops, outdoor enthusiasts and boat owners have all written into Web sites to say how helpful they've found the CDs.

There are a few downsides, however. The CDs won't work on Macintosh computers, and they aren't free. They cost about $25 each, plus shipping and handling. For those who make the investment and find it worth it, however, there are more to buy. Guldin has come out with "Splicing Three-Strand Line" and "Advanced Knotting" CD-ROMs as well.

More information and ordering are available by visiting beutner.com or www.amazon.com.

For those who are reluctant to jump into the computer age, there are still numerous knot books available, including everything from complex descriptions of sailing knots to very basic introductory books. And they do have some advantages -- you can take them with you into the field, for example, and you don't need a computer to run them.

The Morrow Guide to Knots by Guido Regazzoni and Mario Bigon is among the more highly recommended. The paperback book features around 70 knots with easy-to-follow instructions and large photographs. The book also includes interesting facts and a brief history about each knot. For around $15, the book is also a little cheaper than the CD-ROMs.

New knot-tying books continue to be published, however, and many of the traditional instruction books can still be found as well, depending on what you're looking for. On one end of the spectrum there's the spiral-bound "The Klutz Book of Knots," by John Cassidy, which focuses on 25 useful knots. On the other end, there's "The Ashley Book of Knots" by Clifford Ashley, a hardback book that details knot tying as an ancient art. The book includes 7,000 illustrations and an archive of nearly 4,000 knots, and costs around $65.

Finally, there are options for those who don't want to spend a cent. Online, numerous Web sites such as www.activeangler.com and www.realknots.com show simple instructions to various knots. Beware, however -- when you type in knot tying to a search engine, you'll get everything from fly-fishing to macramŽ.

Perhaps the cheapest and most helpful way to learn how to tie knots is from someone you know. Having a person standing beside you, showing you what you're doing right and wrong, can make all the difference in mastering a knot. Boy Scouts, hunting and fishing partners and experienced boaters all make great resources when it comes to learning the ropes.